A horses tale

[August 08, 2019]  This is the start of a horses tale.

Maybe you've noticed that horses are put at the end of a parade. This story is about the Logan County Fair Open Horse Show and it is the conclusion of a glorious parade we call the Logan County Fair Magazine.


One very fine day, some say the best, or nearly so, a good horse went to compete in the Horse Show.

Day temps stayed well below 90 degrees with pleasantly light dry air all weeklong a treat. From the official opening on Tuesday morning through closing on Sunday evening, not a drop of rain nor gust of wind disturbed activities. Some say this was the best Logan County Fair of its 83 years.

The horse show was held infield on Wednesday. Horses came from far, near and in between - Decatur, Springfield, Bloomington, Peoria, and stretching northward to the little town of Utica from which came a couple moms with daughters who brought several horses.

The 4-H held its Horse Show separate earlier this year, but a couple young gals entered the Walk and Favorite Gait for Logan County resident only.


Ellie Mendenhall took first and second place went to Abby Hamilton. Ellie also claimed a fourth in Poles 18-and-under.


Abby would claim both first and a third places in the Open Flags; a fifth place in Barrels 18-and-under; and as last rider in the last event of the day took another fifth in Open Plug.


Another Logan County competitor who enjoyed the day was Diane Lowry, with husband Roy lending support. She took home fourth and fifth places in Walk - Trott events.

The competitions drew around 30 riders of all age ranges.


As one young girl contentedly waiting on her horse, she said she'd been riding since she was three. She was there with her mom and other family members who were contestants also. There was an event just for her, Walk - Trott 11 years and under. Kenlee Heider took first.


On the other end of the spectrum a known horseman, Bob Williams, has been coming to the Logan County event for many years and on this day maintained his good reputation. Bob was said by observers to be approaching the 80-year-mark, but you wouldn't think it possible he was a day over 55 the way he rode.

Williams was notably careful to take lot of time warming up himself and his horse. Anyone nearby knew Bob and his horse were in the field running as in each race he rowdily whooped and hollered urging his horse to top speeds in performance races.


In Open Poles Williams took first, and in Open Barrels he claimed third place. Closing out the last event of the day, Williams showed he's still king with a breathtaking ride that whisked him to first place in the Open Plug.

Most often, come early August the ground here is sun-baked hard and whatever rain falls can make a super slick surface in the competition field. However, this year the half-inch rain that fell on Monday made the ground conditions 'just right' for the Wednesday events. One gal benefited from the slightly softened ground when she leaned left to go around the barrel but her horse went right. With nothing to be done about, the rider fell off landing hard on her back. She didn't move at first, had the wind knocked out of her. All present were relieved when after a few minutes she got up, walked over and got back on her horse. You know the old saying, "Always get right back on the horse."


The day was long with a 10 a.m. start. Announcer Les Payne, with 42 years experience now, was back at the microphone calling the riders out and to stand-on-deck. And by Payne's side, also a veteran as placing starter was Shirley Kavanaugh keeping everything rolling.

Payne's wife Peggy, with Tammy Skaggs and Candie Wright were nearby making things go smooth at the entry/payout table.


Between events Judge Connie Stark, a former top performer herself, stopped into the announcers trailer to deliver stats, and here she gives Kavanaugh a big appreciation hug.

Moving barrels in and moving barrels out all day long was the big chore for ring keepers Gene Schmidt; and from Tazwell County, Ben Dodson. The two have done the work for many years and were training a younger fella' this day. He was alright. We'll watch to see if he comes back next year.

Most competitors entered more than one event, often with a different horse. So there were plenty of other horses to enjoy, some laid back, some more spirited, but all well-mannered even while being out of their everyday element and away from home.

You could pick out those horses who were there to enter a race. They were typically a little feistier, maybe keyed up knowing they would need to run short distances and turn often. All, horses and riders, were ready to win ribbons or at least add to their experience this day.

Both horses and the riders were well-groomed and in proper attire.

Some horses and riders sported braids in their manes, some riders had hats.


The riders and horses various apparel - horse leg warmers and braces - rider clothing and chaps - and adornments for both ranged from fancy to simple.

And, one horse ridden by Abby Hamilton had a Mickey Mouse brand on the hip.


Others more muscular were ready to race with power and high spirit around poles and barrels.


It looked like several horses might be going clear to Springfield charging out of the ring, bleeding off speed and steam on the outlying track. Pedestrians best stay out of the way lest you be run down by a fast exiting horse.


There were horses willowy and elegant in stature, and boy could they 'bring the show' stepping lightly and prancing in gait.

A number of horses and riders offered exemplary finesse decked out in regal finery and shiny coats. They seemingly sashayed, even when given command to back up. They offered striking appeal.

The events were well laid out giving opportunities for horses and riders to recover, and a change of pace for the judge and observers.

The 20 competitions offered divisions by age and by type performance - Western Showmanship, Halter, Walk - Trot, Western Pleasure, Poles, Open Poles, Walk - Trot Egg and Spoon Pleasure, Western Pleasure Color Breeds, Barrels, Women's Barrels, Walk and Favorite Gait (Logan County residents only), Open Flags and Open Plug.


Oh, and the judge, Connie Stark, she was top notch, been doing this a while you could tell. She was at ease in the ring, offered plenty of smiles, clear direction and a light attitude that made the day fun.

While a five-hour competition is long for anyone, all the experienced hands facilitating the event lent to bountiful compliments from participants on how relaxed the atmosphere was and pleasurable an event.

In the end those conducting the competition, riders, horses and others left for home tired and maybe a bit sore from exertion. Yet, all counted it a good day at the field. And this horse too, dragged its tail home again feeling satisfied.

Thanks to all who make the fair happen - behind the scenes construction and clean up crews, Fair and Extension Offices workers, event superintendents and oodles of volunteers who put in countless hours, and to the Fair Board for vision and hard work year round to make and keep the Logan County Fair relevant.


This horses tale comes to an end along with the 2019 Logan County Fair Magazine.

[Jan Youngquist]

Logan County 4-H members in top ten at State Horse contests